Bernhard’s abrupt departure leads to company promoting from within
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) CEO and president Martin Daum has taken over the role of head of the company’s global Trucks and Buses divisions following Wolfgang Bernhard sudden exit.
Daum’s appointment is for a period of five years effective today.
Since 2009, Daum was responsible for Daimler’s US heavy vehicle division and its affiliated companies Freightliner Trucks, Western Star Trucks, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and Detroit Diesel Corporation.
Before that, he held senior management positions at Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ Europe division.
Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche, who held the fort after Bernhard left last month, lauds Daum’s experience in managing the company’s US truck business and prior experience at Daimler’s Europe division.
“With Martin Daum and his international management experience, the right course is being set at the top of Daimler Trucks & Buses for the long term,” Zetsche says.
He also acknowledges Daum’s leadership efforts to grow Daimler’s business under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Welcoming Daum into the new role, Daimler supervisory board chairman Manfred Bischoff says the former’s expertise in the field and knowledge of the company’s operations will “strengthen” Daimler’s global position.
“With Martin Daum, we are appointing a very successful and experienced executive to the board of management as head of the Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses divisions,” Bischoff says.
“He looks back on 20 years of experience in the industry and knows the cyclical commercial-vehicle business from all perspectives.
“We are convinced that he will successfully meet the upcoming challenges in the next years, continue along the successful path of Daimler Trucks & Buses and further strengthen their worldwide leading positions.”